250 held in Dubai for breaking the law
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: The Dubai municipality in cooperation with Dubai police has apprehended 250 street vendors, beggars and car-washers for violating the law.
Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman is dead
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman Wednesday died at a hospital in Singapore, said a media report. He was 83.
Donkey bomb kills policeman in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : A policeman was killed and three civilians were injured when a bomb strapped to a donkey exploded at a police post in Afghanistan.
Indian man, daughter in Bahrain forced to live out in the open
By IANS,
Dubai : An expatriate Indian man and his three-year-old daughter in Bahrain have been forced to rough it out in the open for the last six months after a business deal went sour.
Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan vow to cooperate on security
By IANS,
Ankara : Leaders of Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan Thursday pledged further cooperation on security and economic development, particularly reconciliation and peace building efforts...
Hollande recalls French ‘debt’ to Muslim soldiers
By IINA,
Paris : President Francois Hollande Tuesday said France “owed a debt” to Muslim soldiers who died in World War I and pledged a...
Joint UN-Arab League Envoy for Syria to step down
United Nations : Joint UN-Arab League Special envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi will step down May 31, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the...
US hails India, Pakistan engagement
Washington: The US Wednesday welcomed more engagement between India and Pakistan, as the two rivals show goodwill to each other before India's upcoming inauguration...
Indo-Pak prisoners’ list issued by Aaghaz-E-Dosti
By TCN News,
New Delhi: In view of building trust, Aaghaz-e-Dosti has released details of the Indian and Pakistani prisoners lodged in each other’s jail. This is probably the first time when any such detailed list will be made public. By this, we hope to facilitate transparency as well as to sensitize people on both sides about each other’s pain and towards the larger goal of peace and humanity.
Gaza’s sole power plant down after Israel attack
Gaza City : The only power plant supplying electricity to the Gaza Strip was knocked out of commission by Israeli shelling, deputy director of...
20 Palestinians killed in Syria attack
By IANS,
Damascus : At least 20 Palestinians died near Damascus Friday when government forces fired mortar rounds into a refugee camp near the capital, al-Arabiya news channel reported.
Man in Afghan army uniform kills three NATO soldiers
By IANS,
Kabul : A man wearing a uniform of the Afghan National Army (ANA) shot dead three NATO soldiers in southern Afghanistan Wednesday, the coalition confirmed Thursday.
Who will speak for me if I belong to Pakistan’s Minority Community?
By Abdul Hafiz Gandhi,
LPG prices to drop in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Pakistan will decrease by about Rs.40 per kg after a new energy policy is implemented next month, an official said.
Jordan denies giving military training to Syrians
By IANS,
Amman : Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour has rejected reports that military training is being provided to Syrians in Jordan, the state-run Jordan Television reported.
18 killed, 44 injured in Iraq attacks
By IANS,
Baghdad: At least 18 people were killed and 44 wounded in separate attacks, including a suicide truck bombing, in central and northern Iraq Tuesday, police said.
Sharjah to host world’s greatest oratorio on history of Islam
By IINA,
Sharjah : Celebrating the selection of Sharjah as the Islamic Culture Capital of the Arab region 2014, the emirate is all set to...
India dismisses Pakistan’s offer to Kashmiri students
New Delhi : India Friday dismissed Pakistan's offer to Kashmiri students, who had been booked in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut city for celebrating Pakistan's victory...
Myanmar reiterates commitment to peace in Rakhine state
Yangon: Myanmar President U Thein Sein has voiced his commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the country's western state of Rakhine and carrying...
Five Indians killed in road accident in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh : Five Indians working in Saudi Arabia were killed in a road accident near the country's capital Riyadh after their van overturned following...
Sporadic violence in Karachi after MQM chief’s arrest
Islamabad: Unidentified persons torched four vehicles in the Pakistani commercial hub of Karachi Tuesday following the arrest of MQM leader Altaf Hussain in London...
Abbas, Kerry discuss ceasefire in Gaza
Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday urged US Secretary of State John Kerry to work jointly to ensure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip,...
US working to stop Hamas attacks to defuse Mideast tension
Washington : The US has said it is working to end rocket fire from Hamas in an effort to defuse the current crisis in...
8 year old Bhatkal boy earns prestigious ‘Preacher of the Nation’ award in UAE
By TwoCircles.net Staff reporter,
New Delhi: A Karnataka coastal town of Bhatkal which continuously remain in mainstream media’s focus due to its being a “home town” of alleged Indian Mujahideen outfit’s absconding founders Reyaz and Iqbal Shabandri has unfortunately missed the Indian mainstream media’s spotlight when an 8 year little boy of its origin won the highest prestigious reward for a child in Dubai of being ‘Preacher of the Nation’.
JTA decries Israel’s offensive in Gaza
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Jamia Teachers’ Association (JTA) has strongly condemned the ongoing atrocities being perpetrated by Israel on helpless Palestinians in Gaza.
Called Bengalis, Malaysian Sikhs walk out of function
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : A group of Malaysian Sikhs walked out from a function when Perak state's chief executive referred to them as Bengalis.
Perak's Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin made the gaffe Sunday when he wished the Tamil community "Puthandu Vazth-uka" or Happy New Year followed by "Happy Vasakhi to the Bengali community".
"For generations, Sikhs have bit their lips when mistakenly referred to as Bengalis. Many usually excuse the gaffe by ordinary folk who do not know any better," media reports from the Perak capital Ipoh said.
Yusuf Estes explains Islam’s beauty
By IINA,
Jeddah : Prominent American Islamic scholar and a preacher from Texas Yusuf Estes said that the strident smear campaign against Islam and Muslims following September 11 terror attacks in the United States encouraged many American men and women to study and embrace Islam. “They are doing the job for us,” Estes, himself a convert, said while delivering a lecture on “The Beauty of Islam” at the Saudi German Hospital Auditorium here on Friday night. However, he reminded Muslims of their big responsibility in spreading the message of Islam among others.
Kuwait to participate in higher defense session in Paris
By IANS,
Paris : The Fourth international session on the Asia-Middle East region will kick-off here Tuesday at the Higher Institute for Defense Studies, with the participation of several Gulf states, including Kuwait, the French Foreign Ministry announced.
The session, which will be entitled "The factors of instability: which security tools?" is being held as a result of an initiative taken by the French Foreign Ministry with the cooperation of the Defense Ministry.
Death toll rises to 40 in Iraq’s Diyala car bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll from a car bomb explosion in the city of Baquba, the capital of Diyala province on Tuesday, rose to 40 with some 70 others injured, a provincial police source said.
"The latest reports said that up to 40 people were killed and some 70 others injured by the Baquba car bombing," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Earlier, the source put the toll at 12 killed and more than 40 others wounded.
Iran’s army powerful deterrent to enemies: president
By IANS,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in an obvious warning to the West, Thursday said the country's armed forces would react to any threat of aggression.
Addressing a military parade marking the National Army Day here, the president said: "No major power is able to jeopardize the Iranian nation's security and interests of its people. Iran's army, the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij would respond strongly to even the minimum aggression."
Captured UK sailors were not in Iraqi waters, documents confirm
By IRNA,
London : Fifteen British sailors and marines captured by Iran last year were not in Iraq's maritime territory as the UK government claimed, official documents released under the Freedom of Information Act confirm.
The sailors were apprehended in March 2007 because the US-led coalition designated a sea boundary for Iran's territorial waters without telling the Iranians where it was, according to internal Ministry of Defence (MoD) briefing papers.
Ban urges all members to attend Iraq Compact Annual Review Conference in May
By KUNA,
United Nations : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has sent out invitations to all member states and regional organisations and institutions "strongly encouraging" them to attend the Iraq Compact Annual Review Conference scheduled for May 29 in Stockholm.
His spokesperson, Michele Montas, told the daily press briefing Thursday that the invitations were also extended by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, and by the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General, Ibrahim Gambari.
UN approves Iran’s proposal on combat trafficking antiquities
By NNN-IRNA,
Vienna : Iran's proposal on combat against trafficking antiquities was approved by the 17th session of UN Crimes Commission.
Iran's proposed resolution, passed during the last session of the commission, underlined the need for preserving antique objects as parts of the common human heritage.
It also said that serious measures should be taken to stop the organized groups trafficking the antiquities.
The five-day session, inaugurated in the Austrian capital city on Monday, concluded its work Friday evening.
Britain extends conditional support to Pakistan’s dialogue plan with militants
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Britain supports Pakistan's reconciliation process with the militants "but the talks should beheld with those who wanted to surrender or lay arms", British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said.
Miliband arrived in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) on a two-day visit for talks with the new government.
The new provincial government has formed a committee of senior officials to hold dialogue with the militants in the Swat valley and tribal regions.
Two Iranians shot dead by Azerbaijani border guards
By RIA Novosti,
Baku : Azerbaijani border guards shot dead early on Tuesday two Iranians who illegally entered the country with the aim of smuggling alcohol back into Iran, Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry said.
The ministry's press service said three Azerbaijani accomplices met the Iranians near the border to hand over the goods. On being apprehended by border guards, the Iranians opened fire, and were killed in the return fire.
The three Azerbaijanis escaped, but were later detained in a search operation, the statement said. An investigation into the incident is underway.
Pakistan supreme court abolishes clause demanding parliament members to be graduates
By NNN-Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Supreme Court decided to abolish a law which requires the National Assembly and Provincial Assembly members to be university graduates.
A seven-member bench comprising Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar gave the verdict on Monday after hearing the arguments in the petition challenging the condition for graduation to contest the elections.
Isreali warplanes voilate Lebanese airspace
By KUNA,
Beirut : Several Israeli warplanes have violated Lebanese airspace and flew over several Lebanese territories, Lebanese security sources said.
Sources told KUNA Wednesday Israeli fighter jets flew over Tyre and the town of Rashaya, as well as the Western Bekaa region at low altitudes.
The sources added warplanes violate Lebanese airspace almost daily in stark violation of Lebanese sovereignty and UN resolution 1701.
8th Int’l Petrochemical Confab to be held in Tehran
By IRNA,
Tehran : The Eighth International Petrochemical Conference will be held in the IRIB International Conference Center from May 17-18.
A group of high ranking officials and representatives of domestic and foreign companies will take part in the event.
The conference aims to prepare the ground for getting familiar with Iranian petrochemical industry and to provide investment opportunities in this respect.
ElBaradei: Iran’s decision for cooperation with IAEA a milestone
By IRNA,
Vienna : Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei said Wednesday that Iran's decision to have more cooperation with the IAEA is a milestone.
ElBaradei said that he hoped his agency will make progress in its investigation into Tehran's alleged nuclear weapons programs.
The top IAEA official made the comment in Sarajevo on Wednesday shortly after his Agency announced that Iran had agreed to cooperate with IAEA in its investigation.
Alleged studies is a clause of the last IAEA report on cooperation with Iran.
U.S. reports new Gulf confrontation, Iran denies
By Xinhua,
Washington : U.S. officials said Friday that a vessel contracted by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf fired warning shots on two Iranian fast boats Thursday, but Iran denied the claims .
The U.S. ship Westward Venture, contracted by the U.S. Military Sealift Command to carry military cargo to Kuwait, fired upon the boats after attempts to get the Iranian boats' attention failed, FOX News quoted Pentagon sources as saying.
A U.S. navy security team, armed with M16 rifles and machine guns, was onboard the Westward Venture at the time the warning shots were fired.
Halt in Gaza aid unacceptable – Russia FM
By NNN-KUNA,
Moscow : The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized on Friday the suspension of food supplies to Palestinian refugees, saying it may lead to famine and more tension.
"The termination of supplies threatens spread of hunger and a sharp rise in internal tension. Moscow believes that such actions, which may be regarded as collective punishment of the civilian population, must be avoided," Boris Malakhov, deputy spokesman for the ministry, told the press.
Second Arab Conference on intellectual property to kick off Saturday
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : The Arab League will play host on Saturday to the Second Arab Regional Conference on the Teaching of Intellectual Property Law in the Arab World.
The conference is being co-organized by the league's IP unit, the Arab Lawyers Union (ALU), the IP Regional Institute of Egypt's Holwan University in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Cairo-based league said in a statement on Friday.
A test for the world community
By NNN-WAM,
Sharjah : The world is on the brink of a disaster as millions of people are facing poverty because of global food scarcity and high food prices, a UAE daily paper warned Thursday.
''It may even affect political and economic stability of many countries. Unlike any natural calamity like tsunami, drought or flood that devastates the world every year, this looming crisis is man-made and needs immediate attention,'' wrote The Gulf Friday.
Elections run-off begins
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : The 8th Majlis run-off elections started here at 54 constituencies at 08:00 am Tehran times on Friday.
Some 164 candidates run the race in 100 cities in 21 provinces to win 82 parliamentary seats.
The run-off elections will be held for 10 hours based on the law and the time would be extended if necessary.
Palestinians killed, wounded, arrested in Israeli incursion, attacks
By NNN-WAFA,
Gaza : A Palestinian died of his wound, two injured and three others arrested in attacks by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), medical sources said Friday.
Al-Shifa hospital said Usama al-Houbi was hit with a missile shrapnel when Israeli warplanes raided on Rafah, south Gaza Strip on Wednesday and died Friday of his serious wounds.
In BETHLEHEM, Israeli soldiers attacked a peaceful demonstration in the West Bank city of south Bethlehem, wounding two of the protesters, local sources said.
Mosul operation will be swift, says Iraqi minister of interior
By KUNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi Minister of Interior Jawwad Al-Bolani said Friday evening the planned military operation targeting Al-Qaeda organization in the northern city of Mosul would be very swift.
"President Jalal Talabani asserted that the country was passing through a critical period in its efforts to assert its stature," Al-Bolani told reporters following his meeting with Talabani.
The meeting was also attended by leaders of the security agencies.
Iraq to always remain sovereign – PM
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has said that Iraq will not be influenced by any party and will always be independent, asserting that stability of the region will not materialise without Iraq's stability.
In a meeting with tribal elders in Karbala Sunday, Al-Maliki said Iraq respects its responsibilities and commitments towards the international community, and seeking good relations with neighbouring countries.
He called on the neighbouring countries to establish good relations with Iraq because Baghdad would always be strong, free and sovereign.
IAEA hopes to shed light on Syrian reactor soon
By DPA,
Brussels : The head of the UN nuclear watchdog said Wednesday he hoped his agency could soon shed light on an alleged nuclear reactor which the US claims was secretly built by Syria with North Korean help before being destroyed by Israel.
"We are now in dialogue with the Syrians ... I hope we will be able in the next few weeks to be in a position to shed some light on the nature of the facility that was destroyed," said Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), during a visit to Brussels.
Oil reserves may not be as high as estimated, warns second district candidate
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Candidate running for the 2008 parliamentary elections in the second constituency, Mansour Muhareb, said Kuwait stood before a great challenge, that of the volume of oil reserves the country sat on.
Speaking at the inauguration of his campaigning headquarters in Abdullah Al-Salem Area Wednesday evening, he said there was speculation over the fact that Kuwait did have 99 billion barrels of reserve oil that would last 140 years, and that the number could in fact be much lower.
Lebanese Army deployed in Mount Lebanon
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : The Lebanese army has been deployed to the area of Aitat and other towns in Aley, Mount Lebanon.
Security sources told KUNA that the army was deployed after the Mount Lebanon areas witnessed three hours of intense fighting which claimed Sunday the lives of six people.
Pro-government Druze leader Walid Jumblatt stated that the clashes would lead to more tension between the Druze and Shiite sects, adding that he had assigned head of the Democratic bloc Talal Arsulan to negotiate with the opposition's gunmen.
Iran starts nuclear talks with IAEA
By SPA,
Tehran : Iran on Monday started nuclear talks with a delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Tehran, 'ISNA' news agency reported.
This round of talks is headed by Iran's IAEA envoy Ali-Asqar Soltanieh and IAEA regional Chief Herman Nackaerts and is being held at Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.
Fatah al-Islam threatens fighting against “humiliation” in Lebanon
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Fundamentalist Sunni group Fatah al-Islam, defined by Lebanese government as a terrorist group, has vowed to confront those "bowing the heads of the Sunni in Beirut" with "bloodshed," pan-Arab Al-Hayat daily reported Thursday.
In an indirect reference to Shiite Hezbollah group, Fatah al-Islam said in a statement what happened in Beirut, "the killing, burning and humiliation to our Sunni people is not justified or accepted."
Blast heard in NW Pakistan, 5 injured
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A blast took place in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday morning and five people were injured, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported.
The explosion occurred when an army truck goes by at Kohat town in North West Frontier Province, said the report.
The blast was triggered by an improvised explosive device and four security personnel and a civilian suffered injuries.
No group claimed responsibility for the blast.
Yemen Is One Of Major Countries Receiving Refugees: FM
By Bernama,
Sana'a : Foreign Minister Abu Baker al-Qirbi confirmed that Yemen faces exceptional situation since early 1990s because of continuous streaming of refugees from African Horn, saying that Yemen is one of major countries receiving refugees, Yemen News Agency (Saba) reported.
"Yemen has forgiveness policy towards refugee applicants, especially Somalis because of deep links between the two peoples," said al-Qirbi in the opening ceremony of the Regional Conference on Refugees Protection and International Migration held here on Monday.
Syria says it is involved in peace talks with Israel
By KUNA,
Damascus : Syria announced on Wednesday that it was involved in peace talks with Israel under Turkish sponsorship.
The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted an official source of the Foreign Ministry as saying Syria and Israel had begun indirect peace talks under Turkish auspices.
Tehran agrees with Solana’s visit on nuclear proposal
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Tehran Wednesday agreed "in principle" to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana's visit to deliver a promoted incentive package to Iran, reported the official IRNA news agency.
Foreign Minister Manouchrhr Mottaki was quoted as saying that Solana has sent us a message asking us to let him to travel to Iran to deliver the package and "we have agreed in principle with the visit."
The date "will be announced when it was fixed," said Mottaki.
Ban Ki-moon welcomes indirect peace talks between Syria, Israel
By APP,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed Wednesday’s announcement that Syria and Israel have started holding indirect talks aimed at resolving their long-running conflict.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ban commended Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert “for taking this important step.” He also thanked Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his efforts.
U.S., Iraqi troops detain hundreds in Baghdad Shiite militia strongholds
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : U.S. and Iraqi troops swept Shiite neighborhoods in southwestern Baghdad on Friday, detaining hundreds of suspects, witnesses and police sources said on Saturday.
The troops surrounded and searched the neighborhoods of Baiyaa and al-Amil for several hours starting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.local time, a police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The source said that more than 200 suspected militiamen loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have been detained during the raids in the two adjacent neighborhoods.
Iran conservatives support ex-nuclear chief for post of speaker
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran's majority conservatives on Sunday elected Ali Larijani, former top nuclear negotiator, as the candidate for speaker in the new parliament.
The conservatives chose Larijani by 161 votes against 50 for the outgoing speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Larijani quit as top nuclear negotiator last year and was elected to parliament in March.
Conservatives secured a majority in the new parliament, winning69 percent of the 290 seats in elections in March.
British serviceman killed in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
London : A British serviceman has been killed and two others injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said Monday. The three had been returning from operations when their vehicle was caught in a blast north of Sangin, Helmand province. It brings to 97 the number of UK troops killed in operations in the country since 2001. More than 7,000 British troops are deployed in Afghanistan, mainly in the troubled Helmand province.
Moussa extols Arab efforts for Lebanon as successful
By KUNA,
Damascus : Visiting Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on Monday commended common Arab action on Lebanon as "successful" and having made a major achievement.
Moussa was speaking to reporters following a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem.
Fruitful Arab efforts for Lebanon would lead to more favorable points and activities on other Arab fronts, he said.
Moussa hailed the Syrian role in the settlement of the Lebanese standoff.
"No buts, the Syrian role was important and decisive," he said.
Sources: Abbas intends to reshuffle Palestinian gov’t
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas intends to reshuffle acting government of Salam Fayyad by adding more members from his Fatah movement, sources said on Tuesday.
The sources, quoted by local Palestinian news agency Sama, reported that Abbas ordered lawmakers from Fatah to hold discussions over reshuffling Fayyad's government by replacing some ministers and adding more ministers from Fatah.
France strongly denies secret contacts with Hamas
By KUNA,
Paris : The French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday emphatically denied rumours of secret contacts held with the Islamist movement, Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and which is listed as a "terrorist organization.
" Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascale Andreani said that there was "no official contact" and "no negotiations with Hamas." The official said that a former French ambassador to Iraq and former Director of the Foreign Ministrys Middle East and North Africa department had had "individual" contact with Hamas within the framework of "research" he was doing.
Iran hiding information about nuclear activities: US
By DPA,
Washington : A new UN report shows that Iran "willfully" withheld information about its effort to develop technology that could lead to the building to nuclear weapons, the US said Tuesday.
"The Iranians have been wilfully non-cooperative. And you can read that in the report," US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. "It's disturbing."
The UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a report Monday saying Iran has failed to adequately answer questions based on intelligence that shows the Islamic state may have sought nuclear arms.
IAEA sets ‘new trap’ for Iran, says former president
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran's former president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani Friday accused the UN nuclear watchdog of setting a "new trap" in its nuclear dispute with Tehran.
In its latest report, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had failed to provide explanations for intelligence indicating it may have pursued a nuclear arms programme.
The report renewed "baseless claims from the past" and "is a new trap for Iran because we have already clarified all outstanding issues with the IAEA," Rafsanjani told a Friday prayer ceremony.
Hamas warns of carrying out escalatory actions to break the sieget
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Hamas movement threatened on Saturday to carry out new escalatory measures to break a blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip since the movement took control of Gaza last June.
"The threat to carry out measures to break the siege came after the Egyptian efforts to reach a truce with Israel had failed," said Hamas spokesman in Gaza Sami Abu Zuhri.
Pakistan pays Rs.25 bn to clear oil companies’ bills
By IANS,
Islamabad : With Pakistan freezing domestic prices of petroleum products, the government has been forced to give state-owned oil marketing companies Rs.25 billion to enable them to clear their bills.
The government has frozen domestic prices for a fortnight, the second time it is doing so.
Hamas claims responsibility for wounding Israeli soldier in Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Hamas movement on Tuesday claimed its responsibility for wounding an Israeli soldier in an exchange of fire during an Israeli incursion into central Gaza Strip.
Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said their fighters opened fire on Israeli Special Forces which entered the eastern part of central Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
Witnesses said that an Israeli soldier was injured in the shooting, while Israeli press sources said the soldier was moderately wounded and evacuated to a hospital in Be'er Sheva.
Muslim scholars meet in Saudi for inter-faith dialogue
By DPA,
Mecca : Muslim religious scholars, intellectuals and media figures from around the world were to meet Wednesday in the Islamic holy city in Saudi Arabia to lay out the basis for dialogue with other faiths.
The three-day inter-faith conference will be opened by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who had announced in March for the first time plans for dialogue between Muslims, Christians and Jews.
White House Says No Objection to Abbas-Hamas Dialogue
By SPA,
Washington : The White House on Thursday welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ appeal for reconciliation talks between his party and Hamas, which seized the Gaza Strip last summer.
Spokeswoman Dana Perino said Abbas was acting under a Yemeni-brokered deal reached in March for the two Palestinian factions to open their first direct talks since Hamas pushed Abbas’ Fatah from power in Gaza.
Ruling on headscarf must be respected — Turkish chief of staff
By KUNA,
Istanbul : Turkish Chief of Staff, General Yasar Buyukanit, said Friday the constitutional court's annulment of the parliament's decision to allow Muslim women to wear the "hijab" (headscarf) at universities must be respected, reminding that the country was a secular, democratic state.
Yesterday, the Turkish constitutional court ruled out amendments ratified by parliament to lift the ban on wearing the headscarf at universities and educational institutions.
Musharraf dismisses resignation reports
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Saturday dismissed as baseless rumours of his resignation and said that they have created panic among the people.
"I have not decided to resign. I will remain in Pakistan. I do not have any house outside Pakistan. Rumors about my resignations are rubbish," Musharraf told a group of senior reporters in a programme broadcast live on TV.
"Someone reported that a plane has landed in Islamabad to take me out of Pakistan. But where is the plane?" he asked.
Afghan conference to be “new step” for country”s development
By John Keating, KUNA,
Paris : Around 80 international delegations are attending the opening of a one-day conference on Afghanistan in Paris Thursday, to boost the development strategy of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The conference also aims at assuring the Afghan President of a commitment to his country's security in view of an ongoing and ever-resilient Taliban campaign.
Militants, Afghan civilian killed in Coalition forces operation
By Zhang Yunlong, Xinhua,
Kabul : An anti-insurgents operation of the U.S.-led Coalition forces have left several militants killed and one female civilian dead in eastern Afghan province of Paktia, a Coalition statement issued here Friday said.
The Coalition forces while searching compounds in Zurmat district Thursday to target two militant leaders were engaged by armed militants, it said.
"The force responded with small-arms fire and air strikes, killing several militants and a woman who was located with the attacking militants in the building," it said.
382 illegal migrants arrested in UAE
By IANS,
Sharjah : As part of a drive against illegal migrant workers into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), authorities here have arrested 382 people, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
Abdullah Ali bin Sahoo, director of the Department of Naturalisation and Residency, said the immigrants have been arrested for violating the country's entry and residency laws.
Sahoo said the department would "continue the inspection campaign to bring violators to book".
Israel arrests seven Palestinian in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli army arrested seven Palestinians in West Bank cities early on Thursday, Palestinian security sources said.
The detentions took place in Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin and Jericho, the sources added.
At dawn, the Israeli army stormed Nablus and arrested three residents during raids and searching operations in houses, said the sources.
Israeli sources said the detainees were taken for interrogation because they were wanted by the security services.
Suicide bomber kills 15, wounds 17 west of Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Ramadi, Iraq : A suicide bomber blew himself up at a gathering of tribal leaders and local officials in Anbar province on Thursday, killing 15 people and wounding 17 others, a provincial police source said.
The attacker blew up his explosive-belt in the building of the municipal council of the town of Garmah, near the city of Fallujah, when Sunni Arab tribal leaders and local officials were holding a meeting there, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Jordan, Britain sign nuclear co-op memorandum
By Xinhua,
Amman : Jordan entered into a preliminary nuclear accord on Sunday with Britain in a bid to take advantage of the latter's expertise to facilitate its civil nuclear program, a senior Jordanian official said.
Chairman of Jordan Atomic Energy Commission Khalid Touqan told reporters that the U.K. and Jordan have agreed in a memorandum to join efforts to promote "the establishment of a reliable source of nuclear fuel for future civilian light water nuclear reactors" in the energy scarce kingdom.
Pakistan’s PML-N says will quit coalition if judge issue unresolved
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A spokesman for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said on Monday that the party would quit the coalition if the judge issue could not be resolved within one month.
The PML-N may quit the coalition if the difference with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) could not be resolved in one month, Siddiqul Farooq told local Dawn News TV channel.
The PML-N, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and the PPP emerged as the two largest parties in National Assembly, lower house of the parliament, in the general elections held on Feb. 18.
Syria returns princeless archeological artifact to Iraq
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : Syrian Minister of Culture Dr Riadh Naasan Agha has handed over here a priceless archeological artifact to the Iraqi Minister of Tourism and Archeology Mohammad Abbas al-Uraibi.
The artifact was confiscated by Syrian authorities while it was being smuggled from Iraq to Syria.
The artifact, 100 cm high and 40 cm wide, is part of the Nimrod Temple, which is located in northern Iraq, near al-Mosul. It depicts the Assyrian Nimrod engraved on a type of stone that stores light during the day, making it glow in the dark.
Britain to double its assistance to Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Britain announced Thursday it will double its financial aid to militancy-hit Pakistan, making it to 480 million pounds (about $950 million) by 2011.
The announcement was made by British Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander, who signed an agreement to this effect with the Pakistani government in Islamabad.
The programme, largely meant to eliminate poverty and improve the social sector, would also focus on development in Pakistan's tribal areas, which have seen a steep rise in Islamic militancy.
Seven killed in suicide blast at Indian embassy in Kabul
By DPA,
Kabul/New Delhi : At least seven people were killed in a suicide attack Monday morning that targetted the Indian embassy in the Afghan capital, officials said.
Five people died on the spot while two succumbed to their injuries in hospital after a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-packed car, according to the Afghan defence ministry.
The attack took place near to the interior ministry, said Zemarai Bashary, interior ministry spokesman.
Car bomb kills 15, wounds 20 outside Indian Embassy in Kabul
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : A car bomb went off outside the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Monday killing 15 people and wounding over 20, a source in the country's interior ministry said.
Police say the blast was a suicide attack. No terrorist group has yet claimed responsibility.
The Indian Embassy is located opposite the Interior Ministry, but the explosion went off to the side of the building, where people were queuing to receive Indian visas.
French FM sees continuing dialogue with Iran on nuclear issue
By John Keating, KUNA,
Paris : French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said here Monday that he did not see the dialogue ending with Iran after reception of a letter from Iranian authorities which is expected in France later Monday afternoon.
The French Minister explained that he has not had the opportunity yet to read the Iranian letter which has been transmitted to Chief of the EU foreign policy Javier Solana and the other five members of the Six major nations addressing the Iranian issue.
Israel officially confirms signing of prisoners swap deal with Hezbollah
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israel has officially confirmed the signing of a deal to exchange prisoners with Hezbollah, the Israeli radio reported on Monday.
The radio quoted sources in the Cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as saying that Ofir Dekkel, the official in charge of the file of prisoners and missing soldiers, and the UN envoy Gerhard Conard signed the deal.
Muslim D-8 Group urges quick resolution of Food Problem
By SPA,
Kuala Lumpur : The leaders of the Group of the eight Muslim developing countries (D-8) urged today the governments to work for solving the problem of food, and said failure to resolve this problem would have disastrous repercussions.
Addressing the summit's inaugural session, Malaysian Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi underscored the importance of regional and international cooperation for confronting the problems of oil and food.
The group is comprised of Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, and Turkey.
Terrorism cannot be fought only by using force: Gilani
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has spoken of "a new, multi-pronged strategy" to combat terrorism at home, making it clear that it could not be won only by using force.
Stressing the need for a political dialogue with the pro-Taliban tribals and militants who have been battling the government for long, Gilani told the New Straits Times: "The fight against terrorism cannot be won merely through short-term military, legislative or administrative measures."
Iran urges UN to help free kidnapped diplomats
By NNN-FNA,
Tehran : Iran is seeking the assistance of the United Nations to help secure the release of four Iranian diplomats kidnapped in Lebanon in 1982.
Tehran believes the four - three diplomats and a journalist - are being kept in Israel, but the Zionist regime has so far denied holding the four.
Iran test-fires long range missile
By IRNA,
Tehran : The promoted long range Shahab-3 missile was successfully test-fired on Wednesday during a naval wargame in the Persian Gulf waters.
The 1,000-kg missile was test-fired on the third day of a naval wargame launched by navy forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) dubbed 'Payambar-e A'zam' (the Great Messenger).
Emissaries of Musharraf, Sharif to meet?
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif may have said that he would never talk to President Pervez Musharraf, but efforts are now underway for a possible meeting between their emissaries as part of "national reconciliation" by the presidency.
Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had been ruling out any contact with Musharraf but now after a message from a 'world leader', "the two archrivals may go for indirect contact", a source privy to the developments told IANS.
No confidence motion against Badawi government rejected
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The first no confidence motion against Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Badawi's government was rejected Monday, causing opposition lawmakers in Malaysia's parliament to stage a protest walk-out.
Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected an emergency motion of no confidence in his chamber, citing "use of wrong words" as the reason, The Star Online said.
Opposition Leader Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had last Thursday filed a non-voting motion that generated a lot of political heat in the wake of a sodomy charge levelled last month against her husband Anwar Ibrahim.
Barak labels UN resolution 1701 as failure
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday criticized that the United Nations resolution 1701 that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war failed to stop the Hezbollah guerrilla group from arming itself with Syrian assistance.
"Security Resolution 1701 did not work, doesn't work, and is a failure," Barak was quoted by Israel Army Radio as saying during a Labor faction meeting.
22 PKK rebels killed in operation in SE Turkey
By Xinhua,
Ankara : A total of 22 rebels of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) were killed in the operations staged by the Turkish security forces in Sirnak province in southeastern Turkey in the past four days, a Turkish military statement said on Tuesday.
Iran becomes the top donor to Sri Lanka
By NNN-Govt Portal,
Colombo : Iran, which granted USD 450 million to build the Uma Oya hydropower project and upgrade the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, has emerged as Sri Lanka 's biggest donor this year, officials said.
In the five months to May, Sri Lanka received USD 1.05 billion in foreign aid, of which project loans accounted for USD 959 million and grants for USD 90 million, the Treasury said in its mid-year fiscal report.
Philippines likely to reopen embassy in Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Manila : The Philippines is likely to reopen its embassy in strife-torn Iraq within the year as the situation there continues to improve, an official from the country's Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.
The decision to reopen the embassy in Iraq would depend on security reports from the U.S. government intelligence, Philippine TV network GMA News Reported, citing Jesus Yabes, assistant Foreign Secretary for the Middle East and African affairs.
Hamas expresses satisfaction over talks on Yemeni initiative
By NNN-SABA,
Sana'a : Hamas has praised the efforts of President Ali Abdullah Saleh towards Palestinian reconciliation.
Its Political Bureau head, Khaled Masha'al, said prior to his departure Tuesday that Saleh made contacts with a number of Arab leaders to determine steps to be taken to achieve Palestinian reconciliation.
He renewed Hamas' commitment to the Yemeni initiative towards reconciliation and Palestinian unity.
3,000 detained workers in UAE freed, set to resume work
By IANS,
Dubai : United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities Wednesday ordered the release of around 3,000 expatriate workers, a vast majority of them Indians, who were detained July 4 for their involvement in a violent strike.
"Following police investigations, the release of all the workers, except for eight, has been ordered today (Wednesday)," a diplomatic source told IANS.
"The workers are likely to resume work at their site in Ras Al Khaimah tomorrow," the source said.
The eight detained include seven Indians and one Bangladeshi.
EU’s Solana starts nuclear talks with Iranian nuclear negotiator
By Xinhua,
Geneva : Top EU diplomatic official Javier Solana started a nuclear talks with Iran's nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili here on Saturday at the presence of U.S. Under Secretary of State William Burns.
Burns, the first U.S. diplomat to attend negotiations with Iran in 30 years, was here to witness the whole process of the talks.
Though Burns will not take an active role at the meeting, but his presence was widely seen as a major policy shift of Washington on Iran.
Arab League seeks compromises in Sudan-ICC crisis
By DPA,
Cairo : In an effort to avoid possible prosecution of the Sudanese president on genocide charges, an Arab League committee formed during an emergency meeting Saturday is trying to draw up a conciliatory statement to solve the crisis between Sudan and the International Criminal Court (ICC), diplomatic sources said.
The cirsis erupted when ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo asked the court Monday to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on suspicion of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
U.S. troops capture suspect linked to Iranian-backed Shiite militants
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : U.S. soldiers captured a suspected propaganda specialist affiliated to Iranian-backed Shiite militiamen during a raid on his house in southeastern Baghdad on Monday, the U.S. military said.
Based on intelligence reports, the troops raided the house of the suspect who believed to be affiliated with the Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq in the Baghdad al-Jadida neighborhood, or New Baghdad, a military statement said.
Pakiatani govt not to pass on burden of increased fare to pilgrims
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Advisor to Prime Minister on Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has said that government will not pass on the burden of any increase in fares to pilgrims keeping in view increasing oil prices at the international market.
Talking to APP here on Wednesday, he said earlier PIA and the Religious Ministry had agreed on fare issue but now he feared PIA might increase fare for Hajj operation after unprecedented surge in petrol prices.
“The government and PIA will bear the burden of increased fares and we will not pass on the burden to pilgrims” , he said.
Bangladesh condemns Bangalore blasts
By NNN-PTI,
Dhaka : Bangladesh today condemned the Bangalore bombing in the "strongest terms" calling it an act of "mindless terrorism."
"All Bangladeshis condemn the bombing in the strongest terms. These were acts of mindless terrorism, and such crimes never pay," Foreign Adviser of the interim government Iftekhar Ahmed Chowhdhury said in a statement.
"Our sympathies are with the families of the bereaved and with the government and the people of India."
A series of explosions on Friday rocked India's IT hub killing two persons and injuring 12 others.
24 killed, 62 injured in three suicide bomb attacks in Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Up to 24 people were killed and some 62 others injured in three suicide bomb attacks, targeting Shiite pilgrims in central Baghdad on Monday, an Interior Ministry source said.
The source confirmed to Xinhua that a total of 24 people were killed and 62 others injured, most of them were Shiite pilgrims.
The attacks took place in the morning when three women suicide bombers struck groups of Shiite pilgrims in the neighborhood of Karrada, the source said.
Emirates gets its first Airbus A380 giant airliner
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) national carrier Emirates airline Monday took possession of the first of the 58 Airbus A380 jumbo aircraft it had placed orders for.
Emirates chairman and chief executive officer Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum attended the function to take possession of the aircraft at Airbus's Jurgen Thomas A380 Delivery Centre in Hamburg, according to an Emirates statement here.
"We have stood firm on our commitment to the A380," Sheikh Ahmed said while accepting the aircraft.
Musharraf to attend Beijing Olympics opening ceremony: spokesman
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will be visiting China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on August 8, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.
Briefing newsmen in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said the President will visit China at the invitation from the Chinese Government.
The President will also hold meetings with the Chinese leadership including President Hu Jintao, the spokesman said.
Indians now number around 420,000 in Qatar
By IANS,
Dubai : The population of expatriate Indians in Qatar stood at 419,096 as of July 31, more than double that of the local Qatari population, a minister said.
The country's Minister of State for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani revealed the figure in the course of a meeting with India's Ambassador to Qatar George Joseph, the Gulf Times newspaper reported.
The meeting was part of a series of farewell calls the ambassador is making prior to his departure from the Gulf nation.
Afghan intelligence agents free German hostage
By DPA,
Kabul : An Afghan-German businessman kidnapped in Kabul was freed by Afghan agents, a spokesman of the country's intelligence service said Thursday.
"Our agency was informed of the case yesterday and our forces conducted an operation last night, freeing the hostage and arresting three of the kidnappers," Sayed Ansari, a spokesman for the National Directorate of Security, told DPA.
Another source from the same spy agency, who did not want to be named, said that the man was freed from a house in Bagram district in northern Parwan province, 50 km from Kabul.
Kosovo will not declare independence before March 10 – paper
BELGRADE, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Kosovo will not declare unilateral independence before March 10, a Pristina-based newspaper said, citing sources in the Kosovo delegation negotiating the province's status.
The Express daily referred in particular to an agreement between Spain and other European Union states that Kosovo authorities would not proclaim independence until after parliamentary elections in Spain, due on March 9.
Yamani chairs meeting of Protection of Competition Council
By SPA
Riyadh : Minister of Commerce Dr Hashim Yamani chaired here today an extraordinary meeting of the Protection of Competition Council.
The Council’s Secretary General Mohammed Sindi said the participants of the meeting had reviewed issues pertaining to the hike of the prices of diaries and their derivatives.
The Council has ordered its General Secretariat to investigate in this respect.
UAE, France sign landmark nuclear cooperation agreement
By NNN-WAM
Abu Dhabi : UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Nicholas Sarkozy have witnessed here the signing of a landmark bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement between the UAE and France.
The agreement, which was signed by UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner, provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries in the evaluation and potential use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Fresh Israeli airstrike kills two Palestinians
By Xinhua
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed and three wounded on Wednesday evening in a fresh Israeli airstrike on a car in central Gaza Strip, medics and eyewitnesses reported.
Witnesses said that an Israeli aircraft struck a car near al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, in which three militants were believed to be riding, killing two and wounding several others.
They also said that shortly after the first strike, the Israeli aircraft fired another missile at the same area, which also caused casualties.
Lebanon”s dilemma to take toll on Arab summit — Moussa
By KUNA
Cairo : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa expressed belief that the continuation of the political crisis in Lebanon would leave a negative impact on the coming Arab summit due in Damascus in March.
In statements to the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram, Moussa termed the Lebanese crisis as "too sophisticated" saying there were various influential power, political rivalries, tension and "absolute" lack of confidence.
EU asks Israel to end ‘collective punishment’ of Gaza
By DPA
Brussels : European Union Commissioner for external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner Monday called for an end to Israel's fuel blockade of Gaza, describing it as a case of "collective punishment."
"The recent decision to close all border crossings into Gaza as well as to stop the provision of fuel will exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and risks escalating an already difficult situation on the ground," she said in a statement.
Israel decides to slightly ease siege on Gaza
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided on Monday evening to slightly ease the siege on Gaza and to allow medical supplies and a minimal amount of diesel fuel for the power plant in Gaza, local media reported.
Barak made the decision following a security assessment made on Monday evening, the English daily Jerusalem Post reported on its website.
Six-nation talks on Iranian nuclear issue to be held Tuesday
By Xinhua
Berlin : Foreign Ministers from Germany, Russia, China, the United States, France and Britain are to hold talks in Berlin on Tuesday on the Iranian nuclear program, the German Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.
Arabs, Egypt busy exerting efforts to end Gaza crisis
By Xinhua
Cairo : The Arab League (AL) and Egypt, active mediators in the Palestinian issue, are making efforts to alleviate a looming humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip caused by the continued Israeli strikes and siege.
The AL Council on Monday held an emergency meeting on the current situation in Gaza, urging the UN Security Council (UNSC) to hold a meeting to help end the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
Iran receives fifth consignment of nuclear fuel from Russia
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iran received the fifth shipment of nuclear fuel from Russia on Tuesday for it's first nuclear powerplant being built at the Gulf port city of Bushehr, state media reported.
The newly arrived consignment contained 11 tons of enriched uranium and the rest nuclear fuel will be received in three separate shipments in coming weeks, said the state television.
Pakistan tests nuclear capable ballistic missile
By DPA
Islamabad : The Pakistan Army's Strategic Missile Group Friday conducted a successful launch of a medium-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile, marking the conclusion of its annual field training exercises, the military said in a statement.
With a range of 700 km, Shaheen-1 (Hatf-IV) is an operational weapon system held by the army's Strategic Force Command. The missile is capable of shooting both conventional and nuclear weapons with pinpoint accuracy.
Arab FMs gather to discuss Lebanese, Gaza crises
By Xinhua
Cairo : An emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers started here Sunday afternoon at the headquarters of the Cairo-based Arab League (AL) on the Lebanese political stalemate and the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip.
The Arab foreign ministers are expected to review Arab steps, particularly a three-point Arab plan, endorsed to help resolve the current crisis over the Lebanese presidential elections.
Pakistan says foreign intelligence agencies behind in lawlessness
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan said on Monday that foreign intelligence agencies are involved in lawlessness in the country.
Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah told the Senate Standing Committee on Interior that the government has solid evidence that foreign intelligences are involved in deteriorating situation in Pakistan.
Shah did not name any country and said that threat of terrorism and suicide attacks on politicians still exists.
He said it is very difficult to stop suicide bombers.
First Gulf Bank earns record profit of $547 mn
By IANS
Abu Dhabi : The First Gulf Bank (FGB), one of the leading financial institutions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced a record profit of 2 billion dirham ($547 million) for 2007, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
According to the FGB board of directors, the figure was up by 31 percent from last year's profit.
The bank's consistent growth coupled with healthy profitability, efficiency, and liquidity and capital adequacy ratios with return on average equity at 21 percent demonstrates strong financial performance, the bank said.
Iraqi cameraman killed in bomb attack in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A roadside bomb detonated near the vehicle of an Iraqi television crew in Salahudin province in north of Baghdad, their television reported on Wednesday.
Alaa Abdul Kareem al-Fartousi, a cameraman for the al-Furat television, was killed by the blast near the town of Balad on Tuesday, while his deputy cameraman and a female journalist were seriously wounded, the television said.
Afghan deputy governor among six killed in suicide attack
By KUNA
Kabul : A deputy provincial governor and five more people were killed in a suicide blast inside a mosque in southern Afghanistan on Thursday.
The bomber blew himself inside a mosque in Lashkargah, capital of the country's southern Helmand province when people were busy praying.
Pir Mohammad was among the six people killed in the huge blast, police chief of the province Mohammad Hussain Andiwal confirmed to KUNA over the telephone.
AIP meeting will discuss Israeli siege on Gaza Saturday — speaker
By KUNA
Cairo : Speaker of the Arab Interim Parliament (AIP) Mohammad Al-Saqer stressed Thursday the importance of the parliament's meeting that would be held on Saturday to discuss implications of the Israeli siege on Gaza.
Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of the Fifth Conference of the Parliamentary Union of Organization of the Islamic Conference Members (PUOICM), the Kuwaiti MP said, "The meeting will be dedicated to discussing the situation in Gaza," but hinted that the Lebanese file may be touched upon should members request this.
Istanbul factory blast kills 17, injures over 60
By RIA Novosti
Ankara : An explosion at a fireworks factory in Turkey's largest city Istanbul on Thursday left 17 dead and 68 injured, local media said.
The blast went off at 9.45 a.m. local time (7.45 a.m. GMT) in the industrial Davutpasha district, in Maltepe, which houses shops and factory outlets.
Eight of the injured are in a critical condition. People are still being pulled out from the debris of the collapsed five-story building. The number of victims could rise, doctors said.
Barak announces intention to remain in gov’t
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Sunday announced his intention to remain in the government despite a "harsh" final report on the Lebanon War in 2006, incurring criticism from the opposition as well as members of his own party, local media reported on their websites.
Olmert agrees to soften his attitude on prisoners release
By KUNA
Ramallah : Radio Israel said Monday Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has approved recommendations put forward to him by a special ministerial committee calling on him to be more flexible in dealing with Palestinian prisoners.
Members of the committee agreed on the number of prisoners to be set free in return for releasing Israeli soldier Jilaad Shalit, who was captured by Hamas in Gaza.
According to Israeli media, such a move by Olmert is expected to speed up the process leading to a prisoner exchange with Hamas.
Gaza militants fire makeshift rockets into Israel
By Xinhua
Gaza : Gaza-based Palestinian militants shelled southern Israel communities with makeshift missiles on Monday following a brief calmness, militant groups said.
The Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement said in a press release that its militants fired two home-made rockets into southern Israeli town Sderot. "The operation was in response to the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and West Bank," said the statement.
In the West Bank city of Jenin, Israeli forces killed two Jihad gunmen and wounded a third earlier in the morning.